Dorman Hall and Deviney Hall will be renovated, beginning this August. The estimated cost of the renovations are approximately $55 million. / Natalie Rankin/FSView

Written by

Natalie Rankin

Contributing Writer

Tucked away between the silent, stoic beauty of Landis and the secure harbor of the Florida State University Police Department resides two of the most highly discussed, controversial residence halls on campus--Deviney and Dorman.

The Florida State University administration plans for a much needed refurbishment of both Deviney and Dorman, and according to the Bond Issuance Resolution Request for Approval submitted to President Barron by Mary Colburn on Jan. 2, the work would be commenced in August, later this current year.

The plans for the work would increase the housing system beds by 862, and in order to get this accomplished the “University plans to take the existing Dorman and Deviney housing facilities with a total of 525 beds off-line” to build them. In a grand total, this estimated cost would come out to just about $55 million.

The suite-style residence halls would continue to house predominately underclassmen and the resident-to-resident assistant rate would be 45 to 1.

The entire concept of living on campus can be daunting to most, especially those getting their first taste of the Florida State University atmosphere.

However, arguably, living on campus for the first year or two is one of the most important decisions a collegiate student can make.

Many universities across the country require freshman to live on campus for their first year.

It is also for these reasons that it is important for the residence halls to reflect the feel of their universities and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for their residents.Unfortunately, for many students living in Deviney and Dorman, their experience falls short of the one they imagined coming in to college.

One thing is certain—emotions run high.

While some admit that it is an exaggeration, they say it is fairly close to the truth to compare their experience to living in Deviney and Dorman to jail for about 590 dollars a month.

“The air conditioning makes Chewbacca noises,” claims resident Kaitlin Early.Others, meanwhile, like to focus on the community aspect of the living in the residence halls.

Deviney and Dorman student President Malavika Pai says that it is not as bad as it seems, while at first it is a, “bit of a shocker,” and the biggest problem faced personally has been the humidity.

The emphasis, however, has been one of friendship for Pai and friend Taylor Halbig, saying that the community has been a great way to come into Florida State University.While tensions flare, the heat of the end of summer will bring a much needed refresher to two contentious residence halls in much need of care.